The east Londoner heads to the Olympic stadium to promote the venue’s first ever rugby league match, England vs New Zealand, on November 7.

Martin Offiah joins the Newham Dockers (unfortunately only for one training session...)

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Rugby League legend Martin Offiah MBE joined amateur players from Newham Dockers in the Olympic Stadium’s first ever rugby league training session.

The session was as part of the countdown to the upcoming England vs New Zealand game on Saturday, November 7 at the stadium – the first time the stadium has hosted the code.

Martin Offiah enjoyed a successful international rugby league career for England, London Broncos and Wigan, and hails from Hackney .

He said: “It was a privilege to run out on the pitch at the Olympic Stadium with the Newham Dockers. I’m sure when England take on the Kiwis in the Stadium next month, they will be inspired by the way the likes of Mo Farah, Jess Ennis-Hill and Greg Rutherford beat the best in the world here to win gold at London 2012.

“I hope bringing world-class rugby league to east London encourages people to take up the sport and join clubs like the Newham Dockers.”

Offiah is the third highest rugby league try scorer of all time with more than 500 and jointly holds the record for tries scored in an England game.

Founder of the Newham Dockers Michael Wheeler said: “It was an honour for the Newham Dockers to be the first rugby league players to train on the pitch and with the legendary Martin Offiah.

“We are really excited that England and New Zealand are coming to east London. Seeing the best of the world in action will inspire people to come along and give this great sport a try.”

The Dockers were founded in West Ham in 2012. The team won their first London League Grand Final in 2013 and have created senior and junior teams, giving young people in east London the chance to play rugby league.